The City of New Orleans will continue its curbside Christmas tree recycling program this year, the Mayor's Office has announced.

The trees, which will be collected during regular curbside trash collection days (Jan. 9-11), will be placed in selected coastal areas in an effort to help rebuild wetlands and protect the Louisiana coastline.

“New Orleans is earning a great reputation as an eco-friendly city, and this service is one of the ways our citizens can help protect and restore our environment," Mayor Landrieu said in a press release heralding the recycling program. "Together, we can save thousands of trees from being thrown out to waste and also provide critical support to help preserve our wetlands."

The curbside recycling program is for Orleans Parish residents only, though other metro parishes may have their own recycling programs.

Trees should be placed curbside during residents' regular trash collection day — January 9, 10 or 11, the city says. Trees must be natural, and should be stripped of all ornaments, tinsel, lights and tree stands, and should not be placed in plastic bags. Artificial trees, trees with flocking, and trees placed in neutral grounds will not be collected.

The Christmas tree recycling project will cost approximately $12,700, according to the city.

Requests for more information can be directed to the city's 3-1-1 hotline.